Ceuta Braces for New Migrant Surge Amid Riots and Border Tensions

Ceuta, Spain's North African enclave, is preparing for a potential new surge of migrants, weeks after an estimated 80,000 people crossed the border from Morocco. Social media platforms are circulating calls for migrants to enter the city on Wednesday, the same day elections are being held in Morocco.

Tensions are already elevated in Ceuta. On Sunday, thousands of residents marched in protest towards the Moroccan border, chanting "expel the invaders." Concurrently, police were deployed to quell a riot at the Loma Colmenar detention center, where a large number of migrants, including minors, were found in a makeshift shelter. Authorities responded to the situation, which local media captured on video.

This comes after an estimated 80,000 people entered Ceuta illegally starting July 30, swimming around the Tarajal breakwater. While many have since departed, reports indicate that as many as 15,000 individuals may still remain in the enclave.

Last week, thousands of migrants reportedly ran through the streets of Ceuta as authorities attempted to relocate them from beach settlements to a new tent camp. Police reportedly used tear gas to control crowds during the relocation effort. Following this, a 500-meter inflatable barrier was erected along the seawall border, but it has since been damaged by strong winds.

The strain on local services is also a growing concern. CEMSATSE, a health workers' union, has called for a strike on Thursday, citing that the health system has "surpassed its original capacity" and accusing Madrid of not recognizing the emergency. However, Spain's National Health Minister, Mónica García, has denied a crisis, stating the city's hospital is operating at 53% capacity and asserting that migrants do not bring diseases but contract them due to poor living conditions.